Reform councillor Amanda Clare denies Delight occasion assault

Reform UK councillor Amanda Clare has denied assaulting a safety guard at a Delight occasion earlier this 12 months.

The councillor, who represents Winsford Dene on Cheshire West and Chester Council, was arrested on the city’s LGBTQ+ occasion on 28 June.

Showing at Chester Magistrates’ Court docket, the 54-year-old, from Malpas, pleaded not responsible to assaulting safety guard Richard Welsh and damaging his digicam.

The councillor informed the court docket she had acted in self-defence. Final month, she was suspended from her job working for Runcorn and Helsby Reform MP Sarah Pochin pending legal proceedings.

In an announcement, a spokesperson for Ms Pochin mentioned: “On June 29 we have been made conscious of significant allegations involving a member of employees.

“She was instantly suspended from her place pending the result of the investigation.

“We function a zero-tolerance coverage in direction of any suggestion of disorderly or inappropriate conduct.

“Whereas we absolutely respect the suitable to due course of and a good listening to, it will not be applicable for the person to proceed in her function presently.”

Clare was a member of the Labour Get together when she was first elected in Winsford Dene ward in 2019, however left in March 2022 to affix the Socialist Labour Get together.

She then grew to become a member of the Get together of Girls, earlier than becoming a member of the Winsford Salt of the Earth Get together, finally settling as an Unbiased in July 2024.

She joined Reform UK in March this 12 months.

Cheshire Constabulary mentioned it was known as to studies of a “disturbance” on the Winsford Delight occasion at 16.30 BST on 28 June.

A press release by Cheshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service mentioned: “We want to remind everybody that legal proceedings in opposition to Clare are dwell and that she has a proper to a good trial.

“This can be very essential that there must be no reporting, commentary or sharing of knowledge on-line which might in any method prejudice ongoing proceedings.”

Decide John McGarva granted Clare bail on the grounds she doesn’t contact Mr Richard Welsh.

The case has been adjourned till December, and shall be heard at Chester Crown Court docket.